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Current Job openings at the Southern State Correctional Facility

The Southern State Correctional Facility (SSCF) in Springfield Vermont is currently hiring Temporary Correctional Officers. SSCF hires temporary officers in anticipation of them competing for full-time classified positions when those positions become available.

TEMPORARY CORRECTIONAL OFFICER I

Hourly Rate: $15.19

Pay Grade: 18

Class Definition:

Correctional Officer I jobs are with the Department of Corrections at various locations throughout the state. Vacancies may occur in Burlington, Rutland, St. Albans, St. Johnsbury, Windsor, Newport, Waterbury and Springfield. The Department of Human Resources continuously accepts applications to fill temporary vacancies. Temporary appointments made from this announcement have the potential to become permanent classified. Temporary employees do not receive benefits and can not work more than 1520 hours per year. Temporary employees may very likely work 40 hours per week but could work less. The amount of hours worked will vary from facility to facility, depending on current need.

Correctional duties involve the supervision, custody, treatment, and training of inmates confined in a correctional facility. Duties are performed under the supervision of higher ranking staff and in accordance with operational procedures of the assigned facility. All employees of the Agency of Human Services perform their respective functions adhering to four key practices: customer service, holistic service, strength-based relationships and results orientation.

Examples of Work:

Employees in this class are responsible for receiving and controlling inmates, preventing escapes as well as resolving conflict and developing communication skills with individuals under high levels of fear, stress, and anger and enforcing departmental rules and regulations on an assigned shift at a State correctional facility. Duties include presenting a positive and pro-social role model, maintaining various records on inmates, supervising work details, transporting inmates to a variety of medical or correctional institutions, and ensuring the proper discharge of inmates. Work occasionally involves an element of personal danger during emergencies and in controlling potentially violent inmates. Duties are performed in accordance with established departmental regulations and security procedures. Supervision is received from a superior officer who reviews work for compliance with established rules and regulations.

Environmental Factors:

Duties are performed largely within a correctional facility and in the immediate area of inmates. High-stress situations are predictable, even frequent. The potential of physical assault or injury is present. Transportation and supervision of inmates outside of the correctional facility may be required. A valid motor vehicle operator's license is necessary. Overtime and emergency duty are predictable. Shift assignments may change in accordance with the needs of the facility.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Skill in reading and comprehending written communications

Ability to write in a clear, legible manner.

Ability to perform rapid arithmetic calculations.

Awareness of security principles and procedures applicable to a penal facility.

Awareness of the emotions, attitudes and group dynamics of confined inmates.

Ability to learn the operation of electro-mechanical security equipment typically used in security institutions.

Ability to learn proper and safe use of firearms.

Ability to learn and use appropriate physical restraint techniques.

Ability to perform job duties within the framework of the four key practices of the Agency of Human Services: customer service, holistic service, strengths-based relationships and results orientation.

Education and Experience:

Education: Graduation from high school or GED.

Experience: Two years full-time work experience. Preference will be given to individuals who have previous experience working in a correctional setting or have a military background. College coursework from an accredited college or university may be substituted on a year for year basis for the experience.

Minimum Physical Requirements

Adequate physical condition to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. As a prospective Correctional Officer, it is important to understand that one of the essential tasks associated with the job is the ability to don a self-contained breathing apparatus and perform evacuation procedures, potentially including search and rescue functions. The Department of Corrections must adhere to OSHA standards that relate to the use of such devices, including CFR §1910.134(e), "Medical Evaluation," which states: "Employers must provide a medical evaluation to determine each employee's fitness to wear a respirator."

Position Expectations

Successful applicants must be willing to meet ALL of the following job requirements: willing to work any shift (6 a.m.-2:00 p.m; 2:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m or 10:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m) if applicable, be willing to report to work each day clean shaven (mustache that does not extend beyond the upper lip is optional);willing to work every weekend, with regular days off during the week; willing to work all holidays which do not fall on scheduled days off; must be willing to work on day(s) off or double shifts (16 hours); willing to conduct strip searches and visually check body cavities of inmates of the same gender for contraband (no contact); willing to supervise inmates, regardless of their gender, while they are in the bathroom or shower area.

Special Requirements:

Overtime work is required to maintain safe staffing levels and is considered a condition of employment. The ability to work overtime as required is considered an essential function of this job class.

The Department of Corrections does not hire anyone who has been convicted of a felony without a waiver from the Commissioner of Corrections. Any person under supervision or sanctioned for a misdemeanor conviction within the past 5 years is likewise ineligible for employment.

Candidates must pass any level of background investigation applicable to the position. AHS Policy 4.02, Hiring Standards, pursuant to 20 V.S.A. 2056c or other applicable statutory authority, requires criminal record checks for all AHS positions, including motor vehicle driving record checks and national record checks where appropriate.